Water-pump lubricator



Oct. 14, 1930.

Original Filed March 2, 1925 Patented Oct. 14, 1930 PATENT OFFICE JOHN MACINDOE, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA WATER-PUMP LUBRICATOR Application filed March 2, 1925, Serial No. 12,538. Renewed February 25, 1930.

This invention relates to grease cups or lubricators from which the lubricant is automatically ejected by means of pressure applied thereto, and which are particularly applicable forluse on the bearings of water pumps of'the type used on motor cars and trucks, or such types of power units wherein a water'pump and radiator are used for cooling water, in connection with internal combustion engines or motors.

The invention is a modification or improvement on the grease cups orlubricators shown in Letters Patent of the United States, #1283841 dated November 5th, 1918, and #1,353,171 dated September 21st, 1920, heretofore issued to the inventor, the said John F. MacIndoe.

The present ineflicient methods of lubri cating water pumps, employing plain compression cups and grease gun fitting on the pump bearings, are detrimental to the motor, because of the neglect in operating the cup orgun at sufiicient intervals to maintain a proper film, or at times operating without the knowledge or ability to ascertain the amountv of lubricant required to form a proper film, whereby an excess of lubricant is forced into the system, causing a loss in cooling surface,

proportionate to the amount of surface coated by the lubricant which is a non-conductor. With the grease gun method, the use of the proper and specific water pump lubricant,

the densityof which in the original state, makes it difiicult to discharge the lubricant into the bearing unless a high pressure gun is used, induces a tendency to use ordinary and softer densities of grease, many of which are unsuitable for this class of lubrication. Again, to avoid possible mixture of unsuitable greases with proper lubricant, by using the same gun, it would require a separate gun for water pump lubricant and this represents an unnecessary and additional expense not needed where the present device is used.

The objects of my invention are to eliminate orreduce to a great extent the neglect to maintain a proper film of lubricant in the bearings, always present when the hand or intermittent applications are used.

'To encourage the use of proper lubricants.

To maintain the film for the entire content of the lubricator instead of the small amount possible to be put in by manual or gun methods. To insure proper and continuous lubrication for upwards of 1500 miles a filling, as developed in actual service, instead of a breakdown of film at few mile intervals, as with the manually operated means.

To provide means to maintain the film while the motor is operating, as compared with the previous means of forming the film when the car or truck is stopped, and the immediate reduction and elimination of the film after a few miles run.

The present device provides a valve to close the outlet orifice when the cup is emptied of the content, preventing the loss of water through the cup, and protecting the leather washer from shrivelling when subjected to the water temperature, such as prevail in normal operating conditions. This valve is of a simple and sturdy construction, and is closed by the main plunger spring, being a part of the plunger construction, unlike the usual ball and spring extensions to ordinary cups, wherein a weak spring, small in size, is used and which is not generally effective or satisfactory.

By preventing water leakage my invention permits a full volume of water to be maintained.

The plunger stem may be of one piece construction, or of a plurality of pieces. If of aplurality of pieces they must work in unison.

'Due to the heavy density of water pump lubricants the proper working of the lubricator is bes effected by providing an allowance of pressure to conform to the reduction in density of the lubricantdue to the average temperature of the circulating water, or approximately, 170 degrees Fah., the claimed point of efiiciency.

These and other advantageous ends I attain in the manner hereinafter set forth, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a vertical perspective view of the assembled lubricator;

Figure 2 is a vertical. sectional view o line 22 of Fig. 1;

Figure 3 is a transverse sectional view on line 33 of Fig. 2; and

Figure 4 is a fragmentary vertical view of the cup illustrating a modification in the venting means..-

Referring to the drawings in detail, wherein like reference numbers refer to like parts in all the views, 10 represents the shell or cap of the usual type of grease cup, adapted to receive the cup body 13. 10 designatesanoflv centre lock which engages a plurality of catches 13 to. secure the body 13 to the shell 7 or cover 10.

10 represent vents extending to spring spacein cover 10 to providean exit for any.

lubricant t'rapped above the metal plunger washerl l, or in; the space provided for the spring 11 to nestlwhen fully compressed. I

A spiral compression spring 11 is positionedaround themain plunger stem 12 and.

isadapted for compression between the upper inner portion ofthe cover or shell 10 and the 4 metal washer 14;

14: is the top metal plunger washer and it shoulders against'stem 12 at point 12?; an.

opening in the washer permitting it to pass over the stem 12, said stem 12 being reduced in diameter at the point 1.2 for such purpose and to formsaid shoulder.

:15, is a leather washer interposed between the top metal washer 1a and a bottom metal washer 16. The said metal washer 16 is slotted (Fig. 3) to fit over .a further reducedin diameter portion 12 of stem 12. The said stem 12 is then increased in diameter to correspond with the portion 12 to hold the assembled washers14,15 and 16 in position. I

The portion 12" of stem 12 may be extended downwardly sufficiently so that when the plunger. has completed its stroke the valve 13?, which is shown as conical or tapering in form, reaches and closes the tapering outlet 12, which 'isthe valve seat or outlet to the discharge 13?. I

13 designatesthe controlling edge of'the V valve 13? in the shank. r

12 is the control valve stem'which is illustrated. as integral with the control valve 13 The said. control valve stem 12 terminates in.

acontrolplug-member of valve 12 having theupper controlling edge. 12 and the lower J controlling edge 12*.

13, is the hexagonal portion ofthe shank body 13, said'shank body 13 terminating in an 'exteriorly threaded portion 13 tosecure the lubricator:;to' the bearing to be lubricated. Said shankhas the valve controlled outlet or discharge 13 therein forthe discharge of the lubricant to the bearing.

' The stem 12 is shown wlth integral control stems but may be made sectional for inter-y changeable control stems for varying densi- :ties of grease where it is not desiredto change springs. Standard springs will control three densities of grease according to hearing concup 10. I have'illu'st'rated specific venting means in conjunction with the locking means so that the vents and locking means may be formed at a s ngle stroke of the forming press, or they. may be cast. together, or they may be positioned independent of the lock:

means. A. ventor vents may be made on each side ofv the cover 10, or there may be as many vents made in the cover; 10 as may be required for properly'venting the cupfor the. purpose stated. When made as a part of the locking means it will allow the catch bead of the catches 13 to ride upin a vertical line and reduces the danger'of coverunlocking as with the present type where an excessive downward thrust will cause the cover 10 to twist on the angle and unlock, causing loss-of cover.

Qp erati0n.' The body portion ofthe lubricator is. filled withlubricant and I inserted into the shell 10 and locked inv place by meansof the bayonetlock 10? engaging the catches 13 This bayonet-lock may be made apart of a pairof vents'or pressure I reliefs 10' communicating from spring space in cover or shell 10. where the grease may be jammed and preventing the locking of said.

cover, or the cup may be vented inany other suitable manner. I r I r 1 v f As the body 13 is locked in the shelllO' the springll iscompressed. between theinner upperportion oftheeup 1O andothe washer 14 and the plug member 12 1onthestem is drawn to its uppermost position. Thelubricant will flow at once the plugmember 12 holding the flow to a minimum area until. the upper edge 12 of said plug member 12 passes down beyond the lower portion of the taper 12. The increased area then begins and from this point onisthe maximumior the balance of the stroke. A tag pered shank, outlet, with; valve shut off, may I,

be utilized if it is desired to use soft greases,

.in whichcase the discharge outlet would" gradually increase in diameteras the plug member 12 descended.

Inthe present inventlon do not. the.

tapered shank as shown in my'previous' patents cited, butuse a straightishank outlet 13 with the plug valve .12 similar to. the;

plug. valve. illustrated Patent #1,283,841'cited, in order that as soon as the said plug valve passes the narrowest straight edge outlet the area is immediately expanded to its maximum extent. This is necessary with all heavy lubricants in a device of the size required for this work.

As soon as the plug member 12 has descended, emptying the cup, the valve 13 reaches and closes the outlet 12, which is the valve seat and the outlet to the discharge 13.

The assembled washers 14, 15 and 16 form the plunger. The valve 18 is shown as conical in form but may be of any suitable design and may be located either at the top or at the bottom of the shank outlet.

From the foregoing description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, the advantage of the construction and operation of the device shown will be readily understood by those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains, and while I have. described the principle of operation,

together with the device which I now consider to be the best embodiment thereof, I desire to have it understood that the device shown is merely illustrative and that such changes may be made as are'within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described'my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. A lubricator for fluid pumps comprising a lubricant receptacle provided with an outlet, a piston in said receptacle, a spring pressing said piston towards said outlet to discharge lubricant therethrough, a valve stem connected to said piston and projecting through said outlet, a plug valve on said stem arranged to enter said outlet when said piston is in its position corresponding to filled condition of said receptacle, and a closure valve for said outlet mounted on said stem and so spaced with respect to said plug valve as to close said outlet before the discharge stroke of said piston is completed whereby a body of lubricant is always trapped between said piston and said outlet to protect said piston from direct cont-act with heat and water.

2. A lubricator for fluid pumps comprising a lubricant receptacle provided with an outlet, a piston in said receptacle, a spring pressing said piston towards said outlet to discharge lubricant therethrough, a valve stem connected to said piston, and a closure valve on said stem so located as to close said outlet before the discharge stroke of said piston is completed, whereby a body of lubricant is always trapped between said piston and said outlet to protect said piston from direct contact with heat and water.

In testimony whereof I aifix my signature.

JOHN F. MAoINDOE. 

